SOFTBALL: Greencastle-Antrim rolls past Gettysburg

GREENCASTLE — Coming into the season, it was no secret that the Greencastle-Antrim varsity softball team boasted an offense capable of carrying the load.

For the second consecutive afternoon, it also became apparent that the Blue Devils have found a consistent combination of pitching and defense to complement their strength.

After rolling past Camp Hill 14-0 in five innings on Monday, G-A again overwhelmed its opponent in all phases 24 hours later, utilizing a balanced approach en route to a 13-0, run-rule shortened victory over visiting Gettysburg on Tuesday.

At the plate, the Blue Devils piled up 15 hits, scoring four runs in the first before erupting for nine in the third while receiving another stellar outing from freshman pitcher Elizabeth Ward.

Handling every inning but one since the season opener, Ward improved to 4-1 as G-A's starter, allowing just one hit and striking out six against the Warriors.

With senior ace Kelsey Brewbaker missing time due to injury, Ward has certainly risen to the occasion in the early stages of her varsity career.

"Elizabeth has really stepped up," G-A head coach Mark DeCarli said. "She keeps improving every time out and she seems to be getting stronger as we go along. I'm very proud of how she's performed."

The Blue Devils wasted little time seizing control, batting around the order in the bottom of the first to quickly establish a 4-0 lead.

Singles from Mary Ward and Whitley Mongan got the offense going followed by Erin Bontrager sending a two-run double to left, abruptly putting G-A on the board.

After a walk loaded the bases, RBI singles by Ashlynn Schaeffer and Elizabeth Ward pushed the advantage to four; a margin that stood until the home half of the third.

Base knocks by Schaeffer, Katie Gelsinger, Elizabeth Ward, Mary Ward and Casey German extended the lead to seven before back-to-back, two-run doubles from Mongan and Bontrager granted G-A an 11-0 advantage, still with just one out in the inning.

A single by Jen Patton ensued, setting up a two-RBI triple from Schaeffer, capping the Blue Devils' nine-hit, nine-run frame.

Now, with the 10-run rule in effect, Elizabeth Ward made short work of the Warriors in both the fourth and fifth, closing out the convincing Mid-Penn Colonial Division victory.

"We knew we would be able to hit the ball, so our pitching and defense was going to be the key," DeCarli said. "In the last two games, it has all started coming together."

Schaeffer finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI to pace the offense followed by Bontrager's 2-for-3, four RBI performance. Mongan and Elizabeth Ward each contributed two hits and two RBI while Mary Ward ended with a pair of singles and two runs scored.

Page 2 of 2 - Michaela Ensminger also added a leadoff triple in the home half of the fourth with German and Patton both scoring twice in the lopsided triumph.

G-A (4-2, 2-1 MPC-Colonial) wraps up its busy week with a marquee divisional showdown against defending state champion Big Spring on Thursday. Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. in Newville.